My Diary.... Do we really live in a civilized society? Kirsty Campbell's comments on the Seven Principles...Service of Acceptance for Irene McGilvray....

 

My Diary....

August

   17^th – A short journey for me to take the service at Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU)

18^th - Only a little further south to the Cumnock Spiritualist Church.

30^th –A few hours after returning from holiday in the north of Scotland and Orkney when we were off to the Glasgow Association.  This was for the Service of Acceptance for Irene McGilvray.

31^st – It is always a pleasure to travel to Fife and ASK Dunfermline.  As always there was a good turnout.  The committee work hard to promote Spiritualism at its best.

September...

2^nd - Neilston Spiritualist Church.

3^rd – Prestwick Spiritualist Church.

 

 

 

Is the human race really civilised? With what we see on television and read in our newspapers we believe we in the West are - and the others in many parts of the world are not. But we have to remember that not too long ago we were in many ways just as barbaric.  

In 1727 Janet Horne was the last person to be executed in Scotland for witchcraft.   Janet and her daughter were imprisoned in Dornoch jail where they were both tried and found guilty of witchcraft.  Despite being old and confused Janet’s neighbours had accused the old soul of witchcraft.  The simple fact that Janet's daughter had a deformed hand may be the only reason why people accused her of this crime. Mother and daughter were found guilty and sentenced to death.  The daughter managed to escape but poor Janet was not so fortunate. The day after sentencing she was stripped and rolled in tar, then placed in a barrel and taken in a procession to where she was burned alive.  Janet was the last person to be burned in Britain for witchcraft.  So I am sure that Spiritualists are counting their blessings that they were born in  more enlightened times as far as Scotland is concerned.

Although we have most certainly moved on from those dark days we still have much to do before we can accept the accolade of being a civilized nation. 

In my life time; -

Look at the massive abuse of children, and even worse the cover-ups that kept all this silent.  These abused children had nowhere to turn for help as many of those in authority let them down

The introduction of factory farming that is hell on earth for the animals that live their entire lives in these massive buildings... 

 

Allowing renditions flights to refuel at our airports, knowing that passengers were on their way to be tortured. 

To have bombed Iraq when there was no need too, and in doing so killed so many innocent men, women and children.

To be part of an alliance that is regularly killing and maiming innocent men, women and children with drone attacks.

The number of horses that drop dead during or after a race yet we call it a sport.

We hear almost every hour of the day on 24-hour news channels new barbaric acts somewhere in the world...  Many countries that we call our friends and allies have torture chambers where each torturer tries to outdo each other by inventing new forms of torture to inflict extreme pain on their victims... 

Human trafficking is on the increase.  

Certain parts of the world are living as we lived several hundred years ago.  So as well as criticising those who commit evil deeds we should have at the back of our mind about our past and we are still not perfect today...

We in our infinite wisdom have done our best to educate and hurry other countries and peoples along to be more civilised, to have more compassion and understanding.  But this fast-tracking in many cases has sadly failed, creating a vacuum making situations worse.  There are other times we have been involved with the sole criteria of politics or securing oil rights rather than thinking what is best for that particular country and its people...  

So it is equally as important to pray for wisdom for world leaders as it is to pray for help for the victims.  Politicians, in solving one problem usually end up creating another.   One innocent man woman and child killed is one too many.  In every country there are good and bad and we have to pray that the good of all nations are given the strength, courage, wisdom and determination to conquer the evil in their area, then not to replace one evil with another.

So many put their lives at risk I hope that the Honours system from now on take notice of those who put their life in danger assisting Humanitarian organizations.

Some may think maybe my words are a bit too graphic for such a blog, but if others are willing to sweep the truth under the carpet we should not follow suit. Spiritualism the religion does not get involved in politics but we as individuals can play our part.  I have always been opposed to protest marches but we can do so much as individuals in other ways.  We can join pressure group like Amnesty International and Animal protection groups. We can also enter into debate with our elected representatives and keeping on with our complaints till something is done. 

 

 

I have asked friends if they would like to contribute something to the site and here is; -

 Kirsty Campbell’s views on our Seven Principles.

Within S.N.U. Spiritualist centres and churches you will often hear reference given to "The Seven Principles" and in particular, the fifth principle "Personal Responsibility"  Often mentioned together with the phrase, "That we are all responsible for all we think, do and say."  But this is a very glib way of explaining this principle and really doesn't explain much at all. This principle has a hidden depth to it and to be understood needs to be studied alongside the philosophy of our religion and should also be quoted alongside the 6th principle "Compensation and retribution hereafter for all good and evil done on earth"   Why?

The Seven Principles are neutral, they do not TELL us how to live or behave. They suggest.  They operate no matter what we think of them, they just are.   So if you disagree with them, it makes no difference because they are in effect anyway and none of us can escape our responsibilities.  This is what separates Spiritualists from Christians, because Christians believe that they can take their transgressions to Jesus and he will wipe them clean. The fifth principle says that this is wrong; we do not escape out responsibilities.  

So if we have responsibility for all we think, say and do- how far does this extend?  It extends for as long as time. What you do today has the potential to affect the experience of all around you and beyond.  You will often not know the result; it’s a chain reaction which will extend ad infinitumn. It's only when we die that we are shown the results of what we did, thought or said.

So as a Spiritualist, who understands this principle, we realise that to avoid the retribution of our negative behaviours we should strive to always think and behave in a positive way.  But we always have some measure of free choice and because this principle is neutral we can say "Ok I chose to behave negatively, I will still have to accept the consequences of my actions, either in this life or the next." 

Spiritualism is not the only religion to have this principal; most other religions have it in some form. Indeed Christianity is one of the few who doesn't.  

 

 

Isobel and I felt privileged to attend Irene McGilvray’s service of 'Acceptance for the position of Officiant or Celebrant as is the term in Scotland, at the Glasgow Association. The Officiancy, is granted to those who are considered capable of conducting services such as marriages, funerals etc and is by invitation from the National Executive Committee.

The service was taken by Judith Seaman Minister and Vice President (Spiritual) of The Spiritualists' National Union.  SNU Officiants or Celebrants in Scotland are very thin on the ground in Scotland and Irene is a welcome and much needed addition to the ranks.

The phrase “A great Ambassador for Spirit” is often abused but not in this case. Irene has worked tirelessly for Spirit and the SNU for many years.  Irene works in churches throughout the UK and overseas. She has dedicated her life to the Spirit World.  She is passionate about education, demonstrating and teaching within and out with the Spiritualist movement.  She believes that education is the seed that eradicates fear and ignorance, exposing and promoting the "knowing" that life truly is eternal and that Spiritualism is not only a religion but religion based on scientific fact that promotes a wonderful philosophy positively and profoundly changing people’s lives. Irene also does a lot of charity work, especially the work she does in South Africa, between raising money here and working with the people out there, she is totally devoted to this cause.

Irene’s Qualifications & Awards; -

Award holder SNU, DSNU  speaker, DSNU  demonstrator, DSNU  academic,
Advanced academic, CSNU speaker and demonstrator,  Arthur Findlay Collage tutor, Awarded Olive Hayward prize,   Course organiser for SNU courses: SD2, SD3, SD4, S5, D5, Marking tutor, SNU Education committee member,  SNU National Warden - S/I District, a member Scottish, Irish District Council. 

The above shows that Irene has put her heart and soul into Spiritualism and will continue to do so in her new role.

With all mentioned above one would wonder when Irene had the time to play a big part in setting up Glasgow Association of Spiritualism’s Church Museum.  Irene was responsible for instigating and developing and ongoing development of the museum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Diary...Giving Something Back... An Open Mind... The 5th Principle by Jim Brown...

                                        My Diary...........

 

13^th July... My first visit to the new premises of the Milngavie and Bearsden Spiritualist Sanctuary at 106 Clobber Road, Milngavie, G62 7SR.  In only a few weeks President Elizabeth Halliday and members of the Sanctuary have put in a lot of hard work to transform the premises.  Services are at 11.15 on Sundays.  Elizabeth is planning a busy schedule at the sanctuary over the next few months so check on facebook for what is on offer.

17^th - It is always a pleasure to sit with Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church’s Development Group. (SNU)

20^th – Only a short distance up the road to the Foxbar Spiritualist Church in Paisley.

·        22^nd – I visit a long running church with a new name... The Ascension Christian Spiritualist Church, Fred Paton Day Centre, 19 Carrington St, G4 9AJ.  Many will know this Church as Mrs. Primrose’s Church.   Excellent Medium in her own right Jackie McLaughlin is now President.  The Services are 6.30pm on a Sunday and 7.30pm on a Tuesday.  Why not go along one evening and give this church some support.

27^th – I headed north to the Bon Accord Spiritualist Church, Aberdeen. (SNU)  A church with its own premises and full use is made of this with something on most nights of the week.

30^th – Again north to Perth Spiritualist Church (SNU) where Ivy Campbell and her committee make everyone welcome.  At long last Ivy has decided to take the step on to the platform and I wish Ivy well in this sphere

1^st - August – I attended the memorial Service for Bill Storey at Stirling Spiritualist Church (SNU).  Bill entered Spiritualism just after WWII and Spiritualism became a big part of his life.  A Healer Bill was always on hand to give advice to new Healers coming through the ranks. 

3^rd –I had a pleasant journey to Dunfermline Spiritualist Church (SNU) - 3 Lady Campbells Walk, KY12 0QH.

4^th – There is always a good turnout  at Pollockshaws and District Spiritualist Church, Langside, Halls< Glasgow G41 2QR.

5^th – I took the service at the Free Spirit Spiritualist Church Kilmarnock...

12^th – I gave a lecture to ASK Cumbernauld.


                                             

 

                                   Giving Something Back...

 A Quote from white Eagle; -

“Don’t be in such a hurry about Spiritual matters. Go step-by-step, and be very sure. When the time is ripe opportunity will be given to you to do your work which the master as planned for you”.

The wise words of the likes of White Eagle and Silver Birch were once revered by Spiritualists.  But sadly today many look on their teachings as old-fashioned and out of date. Take for example Silver Birch’s “Go step-by-step”.  Many who enter our churches these days want to be fast tracked onto the platform and starting out on a money venture within months. .

When I started out, as I have repeated constantly in this blog, there was a four year development class. Taking time to go through all issues of Spiritualism, and personal development. These classes were taken by mediums and experienced members of the church.  The cost was £1 per evening and that included a cup of tea... What a difference today and I had to agree with a comment I heard recently, “if you are a spiritualist wanting to develop and find out more about you religion you need a deep pocket”. Sadly that is a case, so much taking and not enough putting back. 

So in trying to give something back and help others to understand Spiritualism and  psychic abilities I will be taking five sessions at the Glasgow Association on; -

17th-Sept

1st Oct

15th-Oct

29th-Oct

12th Nov

£5 per class or all 5, for £20.

Please contact the Glasgow Association on 0141 332 4626

 

 

                                               An Open Mind...

A friend from one of the mainstream churches is always complaining about society today.  Everything is doom and gloom he never sees that there is so much good being done by ordinary people.   To be a Spiritualist one has to  have an open mind and with this open mind we become aware of so much others miss.  Here is some of the good I have noticed in recent weeks.

A mother was over the moon about the achievements of her little daughter.  Seeing the joy on the mother’s face would have made many think her daughter had won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.  Not so, but the achievement was equal to that of winning such a medal.  The mother told me that her 4-y-o daughter Sue can now switch on the laptop, link in to a CBBC game and work out the challenge.  This was well beyond Sue’s parent’s dreams only six months ago.

The mother was quick to mention 6-y-o Brenda, daughter of a neighbour.  For six months Brenda has made sure she has time to visit little Sue for at least half-an-hour each day.  No matter what she is doing she must have that time for her little friend.  I was told that Brenda does not pity Sue like many others do; she treats her like an equal.  With that and tons of patience Sue has responded and has achieved so much in the past few months.   

Both Sue and Brenda are champions...

And also..............

My sister, her family and members of her church befriended several members of the Ghanaian Para team.  They were cheering on Patrick Obeng who had been with the two leaders approaching the final bend of a race when there was a collision and Patrick fell onto the track.  Team mates, others in the race, spectators and friends were all devastated at the young man’s misfortune.  But the young Ghanaian praised God and got on with supporting his teammates still to take part in their events. Regularly we see the tantrums of well paid professional when things don’t go right for them.  Patrick is a real true sportsman.

 

 

                                                  Jim Brown...

 

As I mentioned in my last blog Jim Brown passed away on 11^th July.  Holmsford Bridge Crematorium was full to capacity for Jim’s funeral Service which was taken by Officient Mrs Linda Muir.

Jim and May Brown were great Ambassadors for Spirit, Jim with his address and May with her Clairvoyance.  I met May and Jim the first night I entered a Spiritualist Church. I learned a lot from May as circle leader in my second year sitting in the development circle.  Jim was always on hand to offer encouragement and advice when I needed it.

Jim had a great knowledge of Spiritualism and shared this with us in his lectures.   I seldom saw Jim without a smile, he enjoyed life, he enjoyed being a Spiritualist, and he enjoyed taking time for others.  Jim was a well sought after Spiritual Healer.

I am sure all our thoughts go out to May and her family at this time.

                                  

 

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                            The 5^th Principle -   By Jim Brown

 As Spiritualists, we have received through continuous communication with Spirit what is now known as the Seven Principles of Spiritualism.

These principles were given to all Spiritualists to study and use as a guide by which to live our lives here on earth and to prepare us for our future life in the world of spirit.     

The fifth principle points us in the direction of Personal Responsibility and shows that we each have a responsibility towards other people as well as ourselves.

This responsibility, if we recognize it, towards others should take the form of help and assistance and we should give it where it is needed.

In the process of doing so we will become more aware of our own selves and the feelings of caring that will be awakened within us.

As spiritualists, we also know that we are responsible for our thoughts and actions and by being aware of our responsibilities towards other people; we will learn to control our emotions.

There will be a time when we will come up against a person or a situation that we will find difficult.

 However, as I said when we are aware of our responsibility to our own feelings then we must carry on and do what our conscience prompts us to do.

From what we have been told in the communications and teachings that we have received from Spirit we know that we have a great responsibility towards God’s Laws.

In addition, we have the free will to decide to live by these laws and in doing so, create peace and happiness for ourselves and for those around us, or to live a selfish and self-centred life of misery and loneliness.

Anyone new who has come into Spiritualism should be encouraged to make a study of this principle so that in time, they will come to a fuller and deeper understanding of it.

 And when they do they will find that there is a real incentive to try to lead a better life here on this earth and to desire a better fellowship in our relation with other people, and to live in harmony with God, who is our heavenly Father.          

 To recognize and understand God’s laws will allow us to live in spiritual harmony with God and other people.

 This is possible for us all and we should try to understand that it is our responsibility to strive towards this spiritual harmony, for we must learn to love those with whom we come in contact with, whether we like them or not, and if we can achieve this goal then happiness and harmony will come into our lives.

In our relationship with God and our fellowman, we should understand our responsibility for advancing the development of these relationships.  

The person who leads a good life is one who seeks and strives for the development of spiritual awareness.

 That person will find that everyday life is kinder and troubles and worries can be overcome more easily, for the acceptance of personal responsibility does have a positive effect.

Also we each have the infinite possibilities of spiritual progress both here on this physical world and in the world of spirit.

And as we build our own character here on this physical world we will be making our own future in the world of spirit.

 By a study of this principle, we will learn to overcome any negative tendencies that we may have, and as we progress and learn to cut out all misbehaviour from our lives, we will find that we are automatically correcting those thoughts and actions that will allow us to achieve spiritual progress.

However, should anyone wish to live a selfish life they will reap the rewards of that life, not only here on this earth, but also in the world of spirit, until such time as they decide to change their ways.

They shall merely live a life of spiritual self-deception only to come to a grim realization of their mistakes when they ultimately arrive in the world of spirit.

As spiritualists we believe that to a certain degree our own mind conditions our surroundings here on this earth, for as we think so we are, but as the World of Spirit is a world of mind and thought, it conditions our surroundings there to a much greater degree.

 If our minds and thoughts are self-centred making us selfish, if we care nothing for the feelings of other people, and only for ourselves, we will create a condition of isolation for ourselves in the spirit world.

 In our study of this principle we will learn to face up to the reality that all the harmful effects of our own thoughts and actions and they will remain with us until, by our own efforts we change them and only then shall we make any real spiritual progress.

There is what is known as the law of cause and effect and it follows us into the world of spirit and automatically adjusts our relationships.

Therefore, the realization of our responsibilities and a willingness to live up to them allows us to join with the positive power of goodness and will change our spiritual surroundings both here on earth and in the Spirit world.

 We are all tied together by the harmony of our common origin, by the existence of natural law, by the progressive power of wisdom and by the happiness of love.

All of these display that spirituality that lies within each of us and is striving to produce a harmonious balance.

 All of what I’ve just said is not a theological statement of some high church dignitary of what is believed to be the truth, it is the truth as based on the evidence and the experience of the people who now live in the spirit world, and which they have communicated to us.

 So, let me close by saying that in the practice of the fifth principle of personal responsibility we have a moral incentive to lead a better life, to show kindness and consideration to other people and to live in harmony with God

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Diary.... Putting others on a pedestal.... The Big Question - still waiting on answers... Jim Brown and Willie Stenhouse...

 

                                                               My Diary...

June...

12^th – Once again it was a pleasure to be part of the Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church’s Development Group.

15^th – 20^th – a wee break in North Devon.  The weather was perfect.

26^th –Another enjoyable visit to the Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU) for their Development Group.

29^th – President Maureen Land could not have selected a better name for her church. The Love and Friendship Spiritualist Church.  There is always a great welcome for everyone who enters  this church at The Couper Institute, 86 Clarkston Road, Cathcart, Glasgow, G44 3DA on a Sunday evening at 6.30pm.  ** Due to anticipated travel delays, we are closed for 2 weeks during the GamesThere will be no Sunday services on 27th July or 3rd August 2014.  There will be no Wednesday Circle for the next two weeks. The church will open this Sunday 20th July and Sunday 10th August 2014.**
The Circle will re-open on Wednesday 6th August 2014.

Maureen Land an excellent medium in her own right of many years standing and runs an excellent development circle. (closed)  Sharing her vast knowledge of Spiritualist the Religion.   Maureen’s fledglings are given personal attention and time to ripen and mature in a natural way to be the ‘real thing before they set foot on the platform. 

3rd – July I was on my way to the Arbroath Spiritual Centre where there is a great welcome for all who walk through the doors.  Anyone in holiday in the area could pay a visit to the Church at20-22 Commerce Street, DD11 1NB on Thursday evenings Divine service starts at 7.30pm.

9^th – A meditation class.

I was not so busy in the past month and that let me get some of my psychic research attended too.

 

 

Another celebrity found guilty of serious crimes that went on for decades and I find it hard to believe, unnoticed.  I think that most of us are guilty of putting others on pedestals and worshiping them.  Look at those who go completely overboard about their favourite singer, actor/actress or sportsperson.  They take whoever it is to a different level in their mind and totally believe they can do no wrong.  These ‘stars’ are made out to be the greatest singer when they actually are only a good singer like so many others. But because of their looks, voice or songs that appeal to you.  They are the greatest and can do no wrong.

Just imagine you heard that some young person from a children’s home had complained about abuse by your ‘superstar’.  What would your immediate reactions be?

Then if the same young person approached you and pointed out a tramp sitting on a park bench and said the same thing about them.  Again – what would your immediate reaction be?

I doubt they would be exactly the same.  Although I am not saying that in the end you would completely dismiss the complaint of your ‘super hero’.

When I was young the singer I liked best was Craig Douglas and still today he is probably my favourite singer.  I supported the football team Ayr United and my favourite players were defender Bill Elliot and goalkeeper Lenny Round.  But I was never fanatical about any of them, singer, team or football players. I would comment negatively if I felt the need to do so.  But from an early age I could never see why so many worshiped certain entertainers or sports people. 

Maybe that was part of the way I was brought up, never to think anyone is better than another.  If the road sweeper does not sweep the streets or the dustman does not empty our rubbish bins our local area will be in a terrible state.

We have also heard in the past few weeks  of allegations of sexual abuse by those in high places.  Those who have so much power, that they can halt such allegations from going any further.  Many put the reputation of their political party before anything else, even before getting justice for the victim who has suffered from the most heinous of crimes.  And those individuals and organizations that know what is going on and keep quiet in my mind are equally to blame as those who have committed the heinous crimes.

I have had several emails connected with all this and most ask “Why do God / Spirit allow all this to go on?”

The answer is simple... We have been given free-will and so many abuse this precious gift.  Take this away from us and we are no more than puppets that act and think when someone pulls a string telling us to do this or that

What we sowed in the past – we are reaping today

 

 

 

 

 

I mentioned in my previous blog the omission of a representative of Spiritualism in BBC’s Sunday morning programme “The Big Question”. The programme as many of you will know is about religious and ethical debate. So why a discussion on “Is there life after death “and have no representative from Spiritualism?  After all the BBC in its website on religion lists Spiritualism as a religion with the comment, “Spiritualists believe in communication with the spirits of people who have died.”

I ranted and raved about this on Facebook, not always the best thing to do. Someone suggested that maybe a Spiritualist organisation was asked to take part but declined for some reason or other.  I could not see this but I suppose it was possible.  So I contacted Minister David R Brunton president Spiritualist National Union (SNU) who sent an immediate reply.

“I was aware of the programme and we did try to get a representative on the panel for the recording of the programme but sadly on this occasion without success”.

I sent a letter to the Director-General of the BBC asking why a representative from Spiritualism was not invited on to the programme, especially when the debate was “Is there life after death?”   I posted the letter first-class on 15/6/14 and only today 17/7/14 have I had a reply, well some sort of a reply.  A standard letter tells me that the BBC aim to reply to complaints within 10 working days and do so for most but not for all.  Well it took 24-working days to contact me about my complaint.  Maybe I just hit a busy time, maybe many Spiritualist writing and emailing with the same complaint.

My complaint has been passed on to the relevant department and it may take longer than ten days to get back to me.  I am not holding my breath.

Then I am told that to use the licence fee efficiently the BBC may not investigate every issue if it does not suggest a substantative breach of guidelines.

 A month further on and I am still waiting on a reply. I am sure I will get a reply but as we all know the wheels of big corporations turn slowly.  . Hopefully there will be an explanation from the BBC by the time my next blog goes online.

So we will wait and see...

 My comments on the BBC opened up another interesting debate and I was surprised at the number of people who commented along such lines as

“Do we be need to be on such programmes? We would only be ridiculed.   We are managing not too bad as it is at the moment – so why not just do our own thing and let others do theirs?”

When I read these comments to a friend he said “Too many Spiritualists are happy to sit back with a little bit of power whether it is committee member or a medium and not look at the big picture.  After a long hard fight by those who want Spiritualism to be given more respect we are now close to our target.  The Interfaith network has changed its rules for membership.  Hopefully this year the SNU will gain provisional membership to this organization”.

That I applaud but it brought the words from an old Spiritualist friend into my head.  “With all these new rules and regulations been put into place by Spiritualist bodies it appears Spiritualism is being dumbing down so it will be accepted by other religions.   Spiritualism should not make and changes so it can become a member of a club – a club of religions.  We must be true to ourselves and Spirit”...

Both, excellent points for debate.  Spiritualism cannot sit back we have to move forward with the times and I feel that is what we have been doing.  But change for the sake of change or change to be accepted is not on.  We have to think of all those who fought hard to get spiritualism where it is today we must not let them down.  Nor, let Spirit down.

 

 

 

                                                   Jim Brown

Jim Brown passed to Spirit a few days ago.  Jim, and May his wife served many of our churches over the years and both thoroughly deserve the title “Great Ambassadors for Spirit”.  I spoke to Jim on the phone a week before he passed and he showed great spirit and determination.  More about Jim in my next blog.

                                            Willie Stenhouse

 

13^th April saw the passing to spirit of 93-year-old Willie Stenhouse a stalwart of Spiritualism in Scotland since 1949. It was in that year after coming home from the army that Willie joined Dunfermline Spiritualist Church (SNU) and immediately became an active member.  Over the years he became Vice President and later honorary vice-president. He represented the church at many Scottish and Irish District Council meetings.  In 2009 the church held a special celebration to mark Willie's 60-years of dedicated service.  He was also an extremely gifted healer and a great mentor to many new healers starting out.

 

Mr Stenhouse had great knowledge of the Spiritualist movement; he was an old school traditionalist.  He loved the teachings of William Stainton, Moses and Sliver Birch and often quoted them in readings.  He also frequently spoke of Helen Duncan and Albert Best.

 On a personal level I always found Willie a kind, caring and compassionate gentleman, a gentleman is every sense of the word.  I remember one evening setting foot on the platform and immediately noticed something was different.  In all my previous visits to the church Willie had been sitting in his usual seat in the front row, but this evening it was empty.  All through the service I was concerned that Willie may be ill or age was finally catching up with him.  I could not wait till near the end of the service when the collection plates were going around and I whispered the chairperson for the evening “Is Willie OK?”  She replied, “Yes – he is away to London for a few days”.  Willie would have been about 87 at this time but still game enough to spend a few days in London.

 In recent years Willie was unable to attend the church but his friends in the church kept in close touch with him.  As I have often said the term “A great Ambassador for Spirit” handed out too freely.  But in this case William Stenhouse certainly deserves such a title...

 

 

 

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